South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of John Lemuel Morrell Jr., a 60-year-old resident of Lexington, S.C. Morrell faces charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and grand larceny, each carrying significant penalties upon conviction. The arrest was made by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) on January 17, 2025.
According to VAMPF’s investigation, Morrell allegedly misused funds belonging to a vulnerable adult between October 21, 2019, and April 11, 2024. It is claimed that he accessed the victim’s bank and credit card accounts, unlawfully obtaining $143,413.79 for personal use. At the time of these alleged actions, the victim resided at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care in Lexington.
The case was referred to VAMPF by Lexington Medical Center Extended Care and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. Exploitation of a vulnerable adult is classified as a felony with potential penalties including up to five years in prison or fines up to $5,000. Grand larceny involving amounts over $10,000 is also a felony with possible sentences reaching ten years or fines determined by the court.
VAMPF operates under federal regulations with authority over Medicaid provider fraud and issues concerning abuse or neglect within assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The unit receives substantial funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services alongside contributions from South Carolina.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized that “all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit operates as VAMPF with financial support comprising 75 percent from federal grants totaling $2,889,252 for fiscal year 2025. The remaining funding comes from South Carolina amounting to $963,084 for FFY 2025.
